Track & Field Competes at Stanford Invite, Tufts Invitational

Mar 31, 2013

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman Ned Willig (Phoenixville, Pa.) continued his impressive rookie campaign to lead a group of Bears at the Stanford Invitational, while several other members of the Brown track & field team competed at the Tufts Snowflake Classic, both held Saturday.

"It was a great weekend," said Tim Springfield, Interim Director of Track and Field. "Athletes at both meets did some tremendous work. I'm very pleased with how our freshmen and sophomores are performing. Willig, Clavette, Rhodes, and Darpolor are competing like veterans and putting up great marks. That's encouraging for the future."

Willig finished sixth in the finals of the 800 meters, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:50.20, which is tied for third on the program's top-10 list. On Friday, Willig finished fourth in his section of the 1,500 meters in 3:45.53, marking the top time in the league this season and eighth-best ever in the history of the program.

"It was a great learning experience for Willig, getting his feet wet with national-level competition," said Springfield. "He's improving very quickly. We just need to stay consistent and get a bit of experience."

Senior Lacey Cracker (Baraboo, Wis.) placed 11th in the discus invitational with a toss of 152-08. On Friday, Cracker was the top collegiate finisher in the hammer with a personal-best toss of 193-08. Cracker's throw marks the second-best in school history and stands as the second-best toss in the Ivy League this season.

At the Snowflake Classic, the men's team took fifth with 49 points, while the women's side finished eighth with 50 points.

Sophomore Courtland Clavette (Asheville, N.C.) won the discus with a toss of 187-02 to break the school record in the event. He also claimed first in the shot put with a throw of 52-05.50.

"Clavette's improvement curve is incredibly steep right now," said Springfield. "I'm looking forward to seeing how far he can go this season."

Zach Keefer (Morristown, N.J.) won the 400-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in a time of 55.71.

On the women's side, Kebbeh Darpolor (Pecos, Texas) captured first place in the discus with a toss of 164-11, marking the second-best throw all-time in program history.

The Bears return to action April 4-5 for the UConn decathlon in Storrs, Conn.